The Foundation

Rebecca has 25 years of experience developing, managing, and evaluating educational and public programs as well as leading staff and volunteers in a variety of public institutions, including the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Adler Planetarium, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. A lifelong learner, Rebecca is a National Association of Interpretation certified guide and earned Master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management and Environmental Biology, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Geology, Studio Art, and Art History. Now one of Pullman’s newest residents, Rebecca was first introduced to the neighborhood through Hotel Florence. She is delighted to bring her historical interests and extensive programming experience to support Historic Pullman Foundation.

Bart is a storyteller who relishes strategic and creative challenges. For over 25 years, he’s developed award-winning campaigns at some of the world’s greatest advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, BBDO, Deutsch, and in-house at Sony Music, all while garnering some of the industry’s highest honors. Now as the Communications & Membership Director for Historic Pullman Foundation, he brings his marketing expertise to help drive visitation to Pullman’s many iconic sites. Working with the talented team at HPF and Pullman’s many community partners, Bart is expanding the foundation’s membership opportunities and building the organization’s communication capabilities. Prior to Historic Pullman Foundation, Bart worked with huge Fortune 500 brands like Coca-Cola, Fed Ex, Adidas, as well as important organizations like the Chicago Library Foundation, Truth and even two U.S. Presidents. Ultimately, Bart believes there’s always a great story at the heart of every brand.

With a proven track record of community engagement, operations management, and advocacy, Daniela has taken on the essential work of building the tours and office capabilities at Historic Pullman Foundation. With a hand in everything from membership, programs, working with volunteers, and the day-to-day operations of Exhibit Hall, she helps keep the foundation running smoothly. Before working at HPF, Daniela managed a popular restaurant, overseeing 15+ employees and growing the business through her hard work and innovation. As she balances her work with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant Refugee Rights, and her degree pursuits in Paralegal Studies, Daniela continues to use her skills and passion to bring communities of all backgrounds and cultures together.

Maria is Co-Founder and Founding Executive Director of the Chicago Learning Exchange, a leading non-profit promoting educational innovation and equity of opportunity for young people in Chicago; and was Executive Director of three civic collaboratives at the Chicago Community Trust. A George M. Pullman scholarship recipient, she brings a wealth of leadership experience, philanthropic connections, communications skills, and community building to the Board.

Southside Attorney Natashia L. Holmes has over fifteen years of professional experience in municipal, regional, state and federal policy issues with an emphasis on urban planning and community engagement. A former Alderman in the City of Chicago’s 7th Ward, Natashia founded McMillan Holmes LLC a DBE/MBE/WBE law firm, in 2016. Her career has progressed through organizations including the Metropolitan Planning Council, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Metro Strategies where she specialized in executing policies and strategies, public outreach and government relations. Her affiliations include the African American Legacy Board of the Chicago-Community Trust and University of Illinois – Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Edgar Fellow (Class of 2013).

Lynn McClure is a strategic professional with more than 25 years experience in protecting public lands. Her successful advocacy campaigns began in the late 1990s with local ballot initiatives for Illinois park districts and forest preserves that increased access to parks and recreation. Between 2007 and 2023, Lynn was Midwest Director of the National Parks Conservation Association, leading the 11-state region’s advocacy to protect and enhance our national parks. In her role, she led efforts to designate Pullman National Monument; expand national park wilderness; uphold policy to protect park waters and landscapes; and also increase funding to the National Park Service for transportation, transit, and Great Lakes restoration. Lynn’s deep knowledge of public lands, historic preservation, and land use in park landscapes, along with her strong strategic planning skills, continue to bring people together around innovative ideas.

Now retired, Doug was the Director of Arbitration for the National Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, and Chairman of the National Railroad Adjustment Board headquartered in Chicago. An avid photographer, Doug has documented the Chicago railroad scene for nearly 50 years. He has a profound interest in Chicago, railroad history, labor history and everything Pullman.

Executive Assistant, Administrative Hearings for the Illinois Secretary of State for 42 years, Cindy has served on the Board since 1986 as President, Vice President, and Treasurer; and she co-chaired the popular Historic Pullman House Tour for 30 years. Born and raised in Pullman, Cindy’s roots go back to 1928 when her grandparents migrated here, and her strong commitment and dedication to the community is ongoing

Born and raised in Pullman in the home his grandfather built in the 1920’s, Jim’s career began with real estate developer Arthur Rubloff. By age 25, he successfully built and operated two retail stores in the Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center and one in River Oaks Shopping Center until 2010. Since retiring, he has purchased and renovated many Pullman homes, and in addition to serving on the Board since 2014, his volunteer efforts touch every area of the community.

Bob has 45 years of experience in urban planning, design, transportation & consulting includes: directing architectural and engineering firms on the CTA Capital Improvement Plan; engineering and design coordination for the Chicago Central Area Circulator Light Rail System public transit project; and head management consultant for the CTA’s automated fare collection system. A 40-year Pullman resident, his professional skills are reflected in countless community projects.

Colleen is most recently the retired Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and currently runs her own Communications Consulting firm. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Colleen began her career as a television news reporter, was the Ag News Director at two TV stations, and previously served as the Illinois Regional State Director for the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Colleen comes from a proud railroad family and was a strong supporter of Pullman during her time at IDNR.

Kelwin currently serves as the Chief Civic Engagement Officer – Deputy Assessor for the Cook County Assessor’s Office. He was previously a Senior Outreach Planner at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Kelwin held several roles in community development in Chicago, including Director of Social Services with Catholic Charities and Executive Director of a non-profit organization with St. Sabina Church after working in the Mayor’s Office. He earned his Masters in Urban Planning degree from Harvard University and his Bachelors in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University. Kelwin is a Pullman resident and HPF member and has volunteered for various events.

The Deputy Village Administrator for the Village of South Holland, Illinois, the first to be appointed to this position, Patricia manages the day-to-day operations of the Village of 22,000 residents and a $40 million dollar annual budget. A Juris Doctor from De Paul University’s College of Law, Pat has served on several Boards, including the Victor C. Neumann Assoc., a not-for-profit organization, Diversity, Inc., an organization that fosters diverse residential environments; and she was a former Chair of the Metra Citizens Advisory Board. Patricia has received numerous community service awards, including Cook County’s Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award.

Mike Matejka brings a unique blend of labor and railroad history, and accredited museum experience, to the Historic Pullman Foundation. Retired as Governmental Affairs Director from the Great Plains Laborers District Council, Mike currently serves as a vice-president of the Illinois Labor History Society and writes and lectures regularly on labor history topics. In 2005 he was a consultant to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento as they redesigned their permanent exhibits. He serves as a board member and is a past President of the accredited McLean County Museum of History, where he has been the guest curator for five exhibits.

Joe’s experience spans over 40 years in government and transportation, including serving as chief executive at the local, state and federal level. He was appointed by President Obama in 2009 as the twelfth Federal Railroad Administrator of the United States; served as Mayor of Riverdale, Illinois; was State Director in Illinois for the United Transportation Union; and Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Retired from CMAP in 2019, Joe brings a wealth of planning and rail transportation expertise to the Board.

With over 35 years of banking experience, Eric is Vice President Regional Manager for Beverly Bank and Trust, providing leadership to develop strong community partnerships. In addition to the Historic Pullman Foundation, he serves on the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation Advisory Board, the Metropolitan Family Service Calumet Office Community Board, the Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center Advisory Board, among others. He has received many awards for community service, which is evident in his continuing commitment to Pullman.

Architect and city planner with over 30 years of experience, Richard’s work focuses on large scale urban development and redevelopment in historic and emergent cities worldwide. Work in Chicago includes the Chicago Central Area Action Plan, Chicago Riverwalk Plan, North Branch Industrial Corridor Modernization, and more than a dozen neighborhood strategic plans. Richard was the National Parks Conservation Association and AIA Chicago Project Lead for Positioning Pullman and the site design team lead for the Pullman National Monument and State Historic Site Visitor Center.